Content Area(s): Life Science, Physical Science, Engineering Topic: Synthetic Photosynthesis Short description: A new device called the artificial leaf mimics photosynthesis to produce energy from sunlight.
Claim: The artificial leaf may provide a clean, inexpensive method of storing solar energy.
Keywords: photosynthesis, solar cell Difficulty of Concept: Easy
MS-LS1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
MS-PS1 Matter and Its Interactions
MS-PS1-1. Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
MS-ETS1 Engineering Design
MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/Literacy
RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Solar energy is a cheap and clean energy source but it has been unable to take the place of fossil fuels because it is difficult to store for later use. A new invention, called the artificial leaf, may be the breakthrough that will finally allow for the storage of sunlight by mimicking the process of photosynthesis; converting sunlight into fuel. In the future this technology could allow us to use sunlight, the Earth's most abundant source of renewable energy, to power everything from industrial plants to cars and trucks, minus the greenhouse gases.
The artificial leaf is simply a silicon solar cell, no bigger than the average playing card, with catalyst material bonded to its sides and requires no wires to operate. By simply placing it in a container of water and exposing it to sunlight, it quickly begins to generate streams of bubbles: oxygen bubbles from one side and hydrogen bubbles from the other. If placed in a container that has a barrier to separate the two sides, the two streams of bubbles can be collected, stored, and used later to deliver power. The device is 10 times more efficient at photosynthesis than a real leaf. With a single gallon of water the device could provide the energy needs of one house in a developing country for one day.
The artificial leaf is made of inexpensive materials that are abundant on earth. It is made mostly of silica, cobalt and nickel and works in ordinary water. Although scientists still need to develop a system to collect, store and use the gases produced, according to Daniel Nocera, a scientist at MIT, there will be real opportunity for this device, "its day is coming." It is very portable and doesn't require much in the way of additional equipment. Professor James Barber from the Imperial College in London, says "there is no doubt that their achievement is a major breakthrough which will have a significant impact on the work of others."
Worth, B. (2001). Oh Say Can You Seed: All About Flowering Plants (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library). Random House Books for Young Readers. Illustrations by Aristides Ruiz. 48p. With the able assistance of Thing 1 and Thing 2 -- and a fleet of Rube Goldbergian vehicles -- the Cat in the Hat examines the various parts of plants, seeds, and flowers; basic photosynthesis and pollination; and seed dispersal.
Title: Artificial Leaf
Content Area(s): Life Science, Physical Science, EngineeringTopic: Synthetic Photosynthesis
Short description: A new device called the artificial leaf mimics photosynthesis to produce energy from sunlight.
Claim: The artificial leaf may provide a clean, inexpensive method of storing solar energy.
Keywords: photosynthesis, solar cell
Difficulty of Concept: Easy
Reading Level (Pit Stop 8 Article):
Flesch Reading Ease: 48.2Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 12.3
Lexile: 1310
Next Generation Science Standards:
MS-LS1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and ProcessesMS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
MS-PS1 Matter and Its Interactions
MS-PS1-1. Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
MS-ETS1 Engineering Design
MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/LiteracyRST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Vocabulary Words: fossil fuels, renewable energy, silica, cobalt, nickel
Topic of Game Introduction Video: Using the Reason Racer Discussion Section
Link to Game Introduction Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2foEWCqOSw
Full Text of Article:
Solar energy is a cheap and clean energy source but it has been unable to take the place of fossil fuels because it is difficult to store for later use. A new invention, called the artificial leaf, may be the breakthrough that will finally allow for the storage of sunlight by mimicking the process of photosynthesis; converting sunlight into fuel. In the future this technology could allow us to use sunlight, the Earth's most abundant source of renewable energy, to power everything from industrial plants to cars and trucks, minus the greenhouse gases.The artificial leaf is simply a silicon solar cell, no bigger than the average playing card, with catalyst material bonded to its sides and requires no wires to operate. By simply placing it in a container of water and exposing it to sunlight, it quickly begins to generate streams of bubbles: oxygen bubbles from one side and hydrogen bubbles from the other. If placed in a container that has a barrier to separate the two sides, the two streams of bubbles can be collected, stored, and used later to deliver power. The device is 10 times more efficient at photosynthesis than a real leaf. With a single gallon of water the device could provide the energy needs of one house in a developing country for one day.
The artificial leaf is made of inexpensive materials that are abundant on earth. It is made mostly of silica, cobalt and nickel and works in ordinary water. Although scientists still need to develop a system to collect, store and use the gases produced, according to Daniel Nocera, a scientist at MIT, there will be real opportunity for this device, "its day is coming." It is very portable and doesn't require much in the way of additional equipment. Professor James Barber from the Imperial College in London, says "there is no doubt that their achievement is a major breakthrough which will have a significant impact on the work of others."
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Additional Content:
Author: Cindy Wilbur